Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1887-05-25
Ten Million Acres More.

4Qcre are over IU,UUU,UUU OF acres OIL the
finest grazing and farming lands in Dakota
have been withheld from the operations of
the homestead and presumption laws be-
cause of the Questionable claims of a small
band of Turtle Mountain Chippewas to the
land.
In January, 1886, Surveyor General Tay-
Tor, of Dakota, contracted for the surveys of
1900, 900 acres of these lands in compliance
with existing relations but in less than a
month, with characteristic ignorance and
perversity, Commissioner Sparks issued an
order indefinitely postponing the surveys,
and even went SO far as to decline to place
on file plats of several townships surveyed
under contracts approved prior to the action
suspending surveys, after their examination
In the field and their correctness was
affirmed. Mr.. III. G. Green, as contractor
tor these surveys, appealed to the secretary
of the interior, who has recently overruled
the land commissioners action and ordered
that the suspended contracts be approved
and plats of surveys already made be filed
In the proper local land Offices for disposal
under the land laws. The surveyor-general
has instructed the contractors to proceed
with the surveys as rapidly as possible.
This action causes great rejoicing among
the settlers in the Devils Lake land district,
hundreds of whom settled upon unsurveyed
lands after the reversal, in 1882, by Secretary
Teller of the order of Secretary SchurZ,
made two years previous, Withholding the
lands from occupancy. Secretary Teller, in
his opinion, now affirmed by Secretary La
mar, says:
81 am of the opinion that the claim is not
well founded yet if it should appear on a
careful examination of the facts that such a
claim does exist, it will be the duty Of the
government to make proper compensation
to tie Indians. do not think nearly TO-
100000 acres Of valuable lands, on which a
great number of settlers are now located,
should he withheld from the operations of
the homestead and presumption laws be-
cause a question has been raised whether the
small band of Indians mot exceeding 300
have claim on this land or not. 1t is not
contended by anyone that the government
has recognized this claim of the Indians by
treaty with them, and the Indians make no
use of the land except to roam over it, not
cultivating, [ think, any of it,
The vast tract Of land now opened to set
Element possesses natural advantages unsur-
passed by any other part of Dakota. Its
lands are exceedingly fertile, atfording the
choicest pasturage, and producing wheat OF
the finest quality, and rivaling that Of the
famous Saskatchewan country. There is an
abundance of wood along the streams pro-
viding cheap lumber as well as fuel for the
early settlers. The extensive coal deposits
Of the Turtle Mountains and in the Mouse
River Valley insure cheap fuel for the flu
ture, and invite manufacturing industries.
The removal of all barriers to the settle
ment and development of the country will
hasten the completion and extension of the
Cando, Bottineau, and other projected
branches of the Manitoba Railway Compa-
ny. With its free lands, wealth and diversi-
ty OF natural resources, and present and
prospective facilities for reaching the pri-
mary markets, we know Of no region offer
ing SO many inducements to intending emf
grants.
During the next two or three years we
shall witness tide of immigration into the
extreme northern part Of Dakota, and a
transformation Of virgin prairies into fine
farms and homes of prosperous and happy
people, scarcely equaled in the history OF
Dakota, and which was impossible in the
settlement of other states and territories
North Dakota F19Yner